The Snowflake Town Council decided to move forward with obtaining a liquor license for the Snowflake Municipal Golf Course at their March 21 meeting after a discussion with Public Works Superintendent Terry Cooper.
“We lost a golf tournament because we don’t have a liquor license,” said Cooper, as he appeared before the council. He explained how he had been contacted and asked to hold a golf tournament, but it was cancelled two days later because the golf course did not have a liquor license.
Councilman Terril Kay asked if they would be providing and selling alcohol out of the clubhouse. Cooper said that they would like to apply for a Class 5 license that would allow mixed drinks and beer and that they would sell the small bottles like they have on an airplane at the clubhouse.
“Obviously if it was set up it would be feasible,” said Kay.
Town Manager Brian Richards explained that when they have granted a one-day liquor license the entity sponsoring the tournament went through a lengthy process to receive the liquor license. “We don’t know how we’re going to approach this right now,” he said, noting there would be some costs and they would have to have a separate insurance rider.
“It initially takes a couple of months,” said Richards referring to applying and receiving the liquor license. He also said that it was possible that initially they would do this for tournaments and see if that’s going to work.
“The first thing that comes to my mind is we’ve granted temporary permits for tournaments, so it doesn’t make sense they wouldn’t want to come here,” said Mayor Lynn Johnson.
“Are we going to have to increase staff to take care of sales?” asked Mayor Johnson. Cooper said they would not, but they are not sure of all the details.
Mayor Johnson suggested that the owners of the restaurant obtain the liquor license and Richards explained that they are not a government entity and do not own the restaurant.
“I think before I make a decision I want more information, and I believe that we have talked many times about establishing a Golf Course Committee and increasing the revenue,” said Mayor Johnson who requested that the committee be established soon.
Johnson also felt that as a businessman if it was going to increase revenue he would be glad to approve it. “Other issues I think could be solved by a Golf Course Committee,” he said.
“I’m actually for the liquor license because it’s part of some peoples golfing,” said Kay.
Councilman Hunter Lewis suggested the town apply for the license right now, but come back to the council for final approval.
Richards agreed that they should get the Golf Course Committee together and let them decide how they were going to proceed. “We don’t want to do the research if you’re not going to approve it,” said Richards.
“If we approved it and say we would be okay getting a liquor license, but stipulate that before we move forward we look at plans and see how we’re going to do it. At least we would be willing to look at it, but if the costs are too great to do, it would be lost,” said Kay.
“Is this a financial thing? I guarantee it will bring in enough money to pay for it,” said Councilwoman Allison Perkins.
A motion to approve applying for a liquor license with the stipulation that it not be implemented until further council approval was made by Councilman Hunter Lewis and seconded by Kay. The motion passed unanimously.
